by Jeff King
After a terrific run in the Wearside League which has seen United moving up the table on the back of some fantastic results it's Cup Action today at The Riverside.
Silksworth C.W. are the current holders of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup meaning today's first round clash for our youngsters could hardly be tougher. However we do have a win over Silksworth under our belts already this season.
Back on the 10th August today's opposition visited us at The Ford Hub for a midweek league game. Silksworth were unbeaten but goals from Ricardo Pereira, Keaton Senagoga and a penalty from Cam Brewis gave us an excellent 3 - 1 win.
Silksworth had been unbeaten to that point and their reply came from Daley Clarke who was their best player on the night. It was a result and performance that should give us plenty of confidence going into this afternoon's game.
What also should give a lot of confidence is the form that United have been in. Their recent run has taken them to 4th in the league and they've been scoring goals for fun apart from one game against Darlington RA.
That game on the 21st August finished goalless although United did have the bulk of the play and possession. Two excellent chances, one in each half, went begging from Senagoga and Abdullah Alawadhi and we just couldn't convert our chances.
The feeling had been had we got one goal we would have got more but RA's defence held firm and we had to settle for a point. Ebenezer Adoo showed up well in an unfamiliar central midfield role whilst skipper Josh Crews marshalled his troops superbly from the back.
George Riley probably had his best game since his return but in the end it was probably the final ball and lack of a clinical touch that let us down in the end. But a point and a clean sheet against a well-organised unbeaten side was not a bad result.
The next game saw us travel midweek to face another tough test against Richmond Town who were up in the top echelons of the table. The lads turned in a superbly professional and mature performance and came away with a convincing 3 - 1 win which in truth could have been more.
Goals from Alex Nicholson, Abdullah Alawahdi and man of the match Micky Spellman saw not only United back to winning ways but finding the net three times away from home was also a great bonus.
Next up was league leaders Farringdon Detached at The Riverside and the team certainly showed it's potential by dispatching the visitors in some style. A 5 - 2 home win saw the goals shared across the side.
A neat finish from James Bakou and a far post header from Josh Crews had us 2 - 0 in front at the half and cruising to a good win. Alex Nicholson made it 3 - 0 before sloppy defensive play allowed the visitors to pull one back.
This spurred the youngsters on though and Alawahdi and Brewis made if 5 - 1 before Farringdon scored a late consolation to slightly dent the score line and performance.
But, a 5 - 2 win over the league leaders is certainly a result to make people sit up and take notice. Cam Brewis was given the man of the match award and he certainly took that form into Tuesday's game against Norton and Stockton Ancient Youths.
On paper this was probably our easiest game of the season so far and so it proved as the team put in an absolutely superb all-round performance. Goals flowed and confidence abounded as United racked up nine goals and kept a clean sheet to boot.
The dynamic duo of Micky Spellman and Cam Brewis were in sensational form both notching hat-tricks and Lewis Lembikisa scored twice after coming on as a substitute.
Goal of the night though came from James Bakou with a stunning right-foot rocket from 20 yards into the top left "bin" as he met Brewis' neat pass in some style. Bakou went on to secure a well deserved man of the match award.
So, a great run of results and performances that should send the youngsters into this afternoon's Cup clash in great heart. It certainly won't be easy especially as Silksworth are the Cup holders.
Another positive result though and United would certainly be in the hunt for even more honours in what is turning out to be a very exciting season.
Kick-off at The Riverside is at 14:00 pm and it would be great to see a big crowd there cheering on the lads especially with no professional games on today in the region.
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